Smile Like a Dog » Half Moon Bay

Cooper: Hitting Mavericks

Mark — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:45:41 +0000

Truth be told, I’m something of a closet surfing fan (the wave kind, not the internet kind). Even though I’m way too terrified of sharks to ever try it out here in Northern California’s Great White territory that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy watching others take on the challenge. In this part of the world this normally means checking out the legendary Mavericks big wave surf competition down in Half Moon Bay but Mavericks probably won’t happen for 2011 due to poor wave conditions.

However, that didn’t stop me from hitting Pillar Point a couple of weeks ago for a My Mutt photo shoot featuring a dog named Cooper who takes his mom on a walk on the shore there every day of the week (weather permitting). Cooper tends to stick to the sand but that boy can certainly play ball with the best of them — you can check out his moves below and help him pick out the shot for his poster which is being done to honor him and his rescue group, Rocket Dog Rescue.

Even though I’m partial to action shots I gotta say I like the ones of Cooper in front of the sign. Wonder if they need a spokesdog down there?

Cooper

It's all about focus

Levitation

Checking out the break at Mavericks

A boy and his ball

These posed shots are rather boring, don't you think?

Now that's a poster shot!

The beach makes everything better

You wish you knew these Shiba Inus

Mark — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:32:51 +0000

I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of shoots down in Half Moon Bay of late. Nice California coastal drive, dramatic landscapes, tons of dogs…how can you beat that? Last weekend I visited HMB again to photograph three Shiba Inus and their dads. Fizzgig (named after the Dark Crystal character) is the oldest with Zara and Koji following. Like most Shibas these pups are prone to wander so we had a leash walk down at the beach followed by a romp in the back yard (where Zara played with her favorite toy, a pinecone) and all three dogs managed to con their dads of most every treat in the house. All I can say is, man these dogs are cute. Check em’ out…

Koji

Zara

Fizzgig

Family walk on the coast

I win the staring contest every time

Koji uses a Jedi mind trick to get treats

Eyes on the prize

Did someone screen this call?

Koji and dad

Awwwwww

No cameras please

5 Happy Hounds in Half Moon Bay

Mark — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:46:57 +0000

When I heard I’d be photographing 5 dogs and two people at the same time for a holiday card I had a flashback to my very first professional shoot which was for two black lab mixes and a toddler all wearing santa hats. Let’s just say that’s still one of the longer shoots I’ve ever had and produced a fair amount of sweat in addition to the final image. This time around I knew a little bit more about what I was getting into and, thankfully, no props were involved. In the end, we actually got one shot where 6 out of 7 were actually looking at me (I’ll take that any day) and another where the cat showed up, too.

Check out the results. The group shots are first followed by some others around the house and on a lovely walk we took through a park in Half Moon Bay afterwards…

A wee bit o' bedlam

Now that cat knows how to make an entrance

Ok, 6 pairs of eyes on camera. That's a wrap

Albie

tongue says the wind's blowing out of the east

Wilcox looking worried

Ahhh, to be a terrier

On the prowl

Maverick

Albie and Maverick

exit, stage right